🥀 𝟐𝟕. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐯𝐢𝐥

Enjoy

The sunlight seeped into the room falling on the unconscious Taehyung who lay covered in the duvet. Soomin, the mother sat beside him muttering silent prayers for the recovery of her son. Her gaze fell on the figure standing near the bed.

"Well, isn't this quite the situation? My son is burdened with someone who can't even protect him. And of course what we can expect from you," Jungkook looked away as soon as she found the hateful gaze on her. The wife felt the weight of the words but remained silent.

"Do you honestly think you can protect him? You stumbled into his life like some kind of misfortune," Jungkook clenched her fists but chose not to respond.

"The moment you entered his world, danger followed. He was fine until you showed up," A bitter sneer played on Soomin's lips as she uttered the next words, "He deserves someone who can shield him, not someone who poses the greatest threat to his existence."

Jungkook's eyes welled up but she held back her emotions, determined not to give her mother-in-law the satisfaction of a reaction. Her fists clenched tighter. Soomin's hurtful accusations lingered in the air, the room filled with the poison of her scornful words.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Grandma entered, her presence commanding attention.

"Jungkook, my dear, come. You can bring Taehyung back." Grandma held her hands and shook her out of her misery.

Jungkook nodded and followed her.

As Jungkook followed Grandma to Taehyung's side. Grandma, with a reassuring smile, handed Jungkook a delicate flower bud.

"Place this on Taehyung's chest, my dear. Rosie said it would work."

Jungkook holding the flower bud gently, nodded in understanding. She approached Taehyung and carefully laid the bud on his chest while sitting beside him.

Grandma guided her, "Now, focus your energy. Channel your intentions for healing through the flower. It'll help bring him back."

Jungkook's heart raced. Her trembling hands hovered over the flower bud. Taking a shaky breath, Jungkook squeezed her eyes shut, her thoughts whirling with emotions. Every memory, every moment she had shared with Taehyung flashed before her closed eyes—the strength of his presence, the moments that spoke louder than words. Her heart ached and she could feel the tears threatening to spill over once more.

"Mr. Kim," she whispered, her voice breaking as she spoke his name, so intimate yet filled with desperation.

Her fingers curled slightly willing the bud to bloom under her plea.

"Please come back. We need you... I need you." Her voice faltered, the last words catching in her throat.

"Please, please." Her plea was soft but full of raw emotion, each word steeped in her deepest fears and hopes.

Her tears fell freely, sliding down her cheeks, as her hands began to tremble. her palm hovered over the flower, her soul willing it to bloom. She didn't even notice Soomin's disdainful gaze from the corner of the room.

Soomin rolled her eyes looking at the innocent facade of jungkook.

Slowly, Jungkook opened her tear-filled eyes. And then, as if answering her call, the flower bud quivered. A gasp escaped her lips as she watched the closed petals slowly unfurl. the tightly shut bud blossomed into a full bloom. It glowed softly over Taehyung's chest.

Taehyung's chest rose with a fragile rhythm. Jungkook's hands, trembling and damp with tears, hovered just above his skin, too afraid to touch but desperate to feel. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched him, her heart racing wildly, caught between fear and hope.

His eyelids fluttered—a faint but unmistakable sign of life.

Jungkook instinctively leaned closer, her knees sinking deeper into the floor beside him, her hands finally daring to rest on his chest, feeling the rise and fall beneath her palms. Each breath he took was like a lifeline pulling her back from the abyss of despair.

Jungkook blinked rapidly, trying to clear the blur of her tears, waiting for the one thing she longed for—to see his charcoal eyes.

And then, slowly, Taehyung's eyes opened. His pupils slowly adjusted to the light, searching for someone. Jungkook's grief and fear all melted away as those familiar eyes locked with hers. A small, shaky breath escaped her lips and before she could stop it, a soft sob broke free, her tears falling faster, falling onto his chest.

A smile bloomed across her tear-streaked face, wide and full of relief, her lips trembling with emotion. Taehyung's lips parted, a sharp intake of breath signalling his return to life and Jungkook gasped, her hand clutching his shirt tightly. Her fingers curled into the fabric, knuckles white with the intensity of her hold, as if letting go would mean losing him again.

Soomin stepped forward with an expectation in her gaze. However, the moment Taehyung spoke, her intentions faltered.

"Jungkook...," Taehyung uttered a single word which was enough to tarnish Soomin's hope.

Soomin's footsteps slowed as she saw Taehyung's lips part. The name, spoken so softly echoed in the silent room. The bond she had once taken for granted was now replaced by something deeper between Taehyung and Jungkook who now sat by his side.

Taehyung's gaze landed on her and his face relaxed. At that moment, no one else existed in the room—not Soomin, not even the shadows—just Taehyung and Jungkook.

"I'm here, Mr. Kim," Jungkook whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.

Soomin realised her son's heart was bound to Jungkook which she had not anticipated. It was a bond she could no longer control or come between.

Slowly, Jungkook shifted closer to help him sit up. her hands slipping behind his back to adjust the pillows. Taehyung winced, the effort to sit up sending pain through his body but Jungkook's touch soothed him.

Meanwhile, Soomin's glare went unnoticed by the two. She took a step back, her anger faltering as she watched them, her son's loyalty now fully realized in the arms of the wife she had underestimated.

"Hyungggg," a familiar voice called out, filled with relief and worry.

Taehyung turned his head towards the door, and there stood Jimin and Yeonjun, their eyes wide and teary. The moment their gaze met his, they bolted towards him, their emotions spilling over. Before he could say a word, the two crashed into his embrace, clinging to him like small children, their tears soaking into his shirt.

Taehyung wrapped his arms around them, pulling them close despite the soreness in his body. The warmth of his siblings' affection was overwhelming. he gently wiped the tears from their cheeks with his thumbs.

"Why are you crying? Huh?" he teased softly, trying to ease the tension. "Your brother isn't that weak. Now stop crying."

His voice was gentle, his fingers ruffling their hair with the tenderness only an older brother could offer.

The sight of the three together, Taehyung holding them close, was both heartwarming and bittersweet. On the other side, Jungkook stood quietly, wiping her tears as she watched the trio. Her heart swelled with affection, knowing how much Taehyung meant to his siblings. They were a family bound by more than blood—by love, resilience, and a deep connection that no adversity could break.

Taehyung noticed her standing there, their eyes met across the room. Jungkook smiled through her tears, she saw the strong man surrounded by the people who mattered most to him.

Jimin and Yeonjun pulled away slightly from their eldest brother, Jimin's lip quivered, though she tried to hold back more tears.

"Hyung, we were so scared... we thought... we thought you—" Her voice broke, unable to finish the sentence.

Taehyung shook his head gently, his hand squeezing Jimin's shoulder.

"Nonsense, look at me. I'm right here," he said softly. "Your brother is stronger than you think."

Yeonjun, still clinging to Taehyung's arm, sniffled and wiped his face on his sleeve.

"But... but you were hurt so badly, hyung. We thought you wouldn't wake up." His voice was small, the fear of losing his brother still raw in his expression.

Taehyung let out a deep sigh and pulled both of them closer again, his protective instincts kicking in.

"I'm sorry for scaring you two. But I'm not going anywhere, okay? Not when I have you both to take care of." He brushed a hand through Yeonjun's hair, gently tugging at the strands.

"You're stuck with me, so no more tears."

Jimin let out a shaky laugh through tears. "Hyung, you scared us half to death. You better not pull something like this again."

Yeonjun nodded vigorously. "Yeah, no more being a hero, okay?"

" I'll leave the hero work to you two next time." Taehyung glanced at Jungkook, who was still watching with soft, tearful eyes. "But I had some good help, didn't I?"

Jimin looked at Jungkook, his tear-streaked face breaking into a smile. "Kookie... thank you for bringing hyung back to us."

Yeonjun nodded, his voice sincere despite his youth. "Yeah, Thank you for saving him."

Jungkook smiled through her tears. She hadn't done it for the thanks, but hearing their words made her realize how deeply connected this family was.

Grandma smiled at them, "Now, my crying babies, Taehyung need complete rest. So, leave him,"

The siblings stood up from the bed. Grandma frowned looking at jungkook still sitting beside taehyung, so she said, "Jungkook, come with me."

Jungkook prepared to rise from Taehyung's side but felt a tug on her hand. The touch was soft, yet strong enough to make her pause. She looked down, her heart skipping a beat as she found Taehyung's fingers wrapped around hers, refusing to let go.

Her eyes flickered up to meet his and his gaze was war, a rare side of his stoic persona. His soft expression melted jungkook, his lips curling into the faintest smirk, silently telling her not to leave. Yet!

Jungkook's breath hitched, her cheeks flushing with rosy hue. She lowered her gaze quickly, unable to hold his intense stare for too long without feeling her face burn. She fidgeted slightly, trying to pull her hand free but Taehyung's fingers tightened more.

Her heart raced as she shyly glanced back at him, biting her lower lip in a nervous gesture.

"Leave me," she whispered, barely loud enough to hear, her voice carrying a shy, desperate note. His eyes held hers with a silent plea, not in words but in the softness of his gaze, a quiet request for her to stay just a bit longer.

"Jungkook," Grandma called.

Grandma's voice called out once again and Jungkook, her face now a deep shade of crimson, tugged softly on her hand, trying to slip free from Taehyung's grasp. But he didn't let go. Instead, he squeezed her hand a little tighter, his thumb tracing lazy circles on the back of her hand.

Jungkook glanced at Grandma, who stood in the doorway, watching the pair with a raised brow.

Feeling the heat of Taehyung's touch and Grandma's gaze, Jungkook stammered, her words catching in her throat, "I-I'll come in a while, Grandma."

Her face burned even more as she realized how Taehyung's fingers, intertwined with hers, wouldn't let her go. His mischievous eyes followed every small movement she made and with each tug of her hand, he would hold her just a bit closer.

Grandma's knowing smile softened as she observed their interaction. Elder Kim's eyes saw the couple's hand fight that was happening on soft, silk sheets. Taehyung's large hand playfully pinned Jungkook's down, only for her to wriggle free, pouting at him.

With a light shake of her head, she turned to leave, her lips curving into a quiet, satisfied smile as if she'd seen enough of the playful tug-of-war between them.

As soon as Grandma left the room, taehyung locked the room with his magic while lying on the bed. Jungkook's heart raced fast, she looked at the closed door and turned back to find her husband staring at her with dangerous, smouldering eyes.

Her hand, small and delicate in his, twisted gently asking for release, but Taehyung's hold remained strong—firm, yet soft, he wasn't quite ready to let her go. His thumb brushed her knuckles in slow motion, a gesture filled with intimacy.

Taehyung, still holding Jungkook's hand, expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Jungkook."

Jungkook, looking into his eyes, responded, "It's okay, I'm here for you. I will protect you always"

They were lost in each other's eyes, the unspoken bond between them stronger than words. Jungkook's breath hitched slightly, and with a soft timid smile, she looked down at their intertwined hands.

Her voice came out in a gentle murmur, "Mr. Kim... please, leave my hand," she requested sweetly, her gaze shy as she peeked at him from beneath her lashes. "You should rest."

Her fingers made another soft attempt to free herself, her innocence so endearing that it brought a tender smirk to Taehyung's lips.

Taehyung obliged, gently letting go of her hand, his fond gaze tracing Jungkook's face. She blinked, surprised, her lips forming a soft pout as she thought,

"He actually let go... He never listens to me when I really want him to. And now, when I wanted him to hold on, he listened! Why did he leave my hand? Ugh, so mean. Stubborn meanie!"

Jungkook huffed inwardly, her thoughts growing grumbly. "How could he leave my hand so easily? Doesn't he know I liked it? Ugh, what a dummy." She scrunched her nose in annoyance, her pout growing more.

Taehyung noticed the adorable pout on her lips. He knew exactly what was going through her mind. Jungkook glared at him before standing up to leave, her heart beating faster than she'd like to admit.

Before Jungkook could walk ahead, she felt a sudden tug on her wrist, and in an instant, she fell right onto Taehyung. A surprised gasp escaped her lips as she landed above him, her flustered expression betraying her racing heart. Her small hands instinctively splayed against his firm chest as his arms wrapped around her.

Their eyes met, and everything else faded away. The closeness between them, the way her body aligned so naturally with his, made the air around them jittery. Taehyung's chest rose and fell beneath her touch. The soft fabric of Jungkook's clothes brushed against Taehyung's fingertips, but more than that, the heat between them made her heart thud in her chest.

Jungkook's cheeks flushed with a soft pink, a clear sign of her flustered state. She could feel his heartbeat against her palm and it only made her more aware of the intimate position they were in.

"Help me clean these wounds."

Taehyung's words broke his wife's trance. Jungkook cleared her throat and moved away to gather the necessary supplies. She approached Taehyung seated with his back resting against the headboard and positioned herself.

Jungkook sat on the edge of the bed, she carefully dabbed at the cuts on Taehyung's arm with an antiseptic wipe. Her concentration was intense, trying to ignore the warmth radiating from his body and the subtle scent of his cologne. Taehyung sat close, watching her.

"You're being very careful," he commented, his voice low and teasing.

Jungkook's cheeks flushed pink. "I just... don't want to hurt you," she mumbled, focusing on a particularly nasty cut near his forehead.

Taehyung's gaze remained on Jungkook, his features softened. In those moments, Taehyung seemed to lose himself in the touch of Jungkook's hands. A mixture of gratitude, trust and a subtle hint of longing danced in his eyes, an unspoken acknowledgement of the relief he found in her care.

As she worked, a few hisses of discomfort escaped Taehyung, each sound resonating in the room. Jungkook couldn't help but feel a pang in her heart at his discomfort. Her touch remained gentle.

Without warning, Taehyung reached up and began to unbutton his shirt. Jungkook's eyes widened, and her hands froze mid-air.

"W-What are you doing?" she stammered.

"Relax," Taehyung said, his tone calm yet commanding. "It'll be easier for you to work if the shirt isn't in the way."

Jungkook's heart raced as she watched him shrug off the shirt, revealing a broad, muscular chest with more cuts and bruises. Her face burned with a deep blush and she quickly averted her gaze, focusing on the wound she was tending to.

"I-I guess so," she murmured, trying to steady her hands as she continued cleaning his wounds. The silence in the room was thick.

Jungkook worked and Taehyung's eyes never left his wife. His gaze was intense and it made the wife feel nervous and euphoric. She could feel the heat of his body so close to hers and it took all her willpower not to lose herself in the moment.

"Does it hurt?" she asked quietly, glancing up at him through her lashes.

"Not as much as it did before you started," he replied.

Jungkook swallowed hard, her blush deepening.

Slowly, Taehyung gently slid more of the shirt fabric away from his front, leaving it to hang on his shoulders, revealing the hidden wounds scattered across his torso. Jungkook's eyes watered as she looked at the big Mark on her husband's torso. Her trembling hands held the bottle of disinfectant and the new cotton ball, spilling some on the bed.

Taehyung held her hands softly and took away the things. He looked at his wife who was looking down. Placing his finger below her chin, he lifted his wife's face. As soon as jungkook's face was lifted, a drop of tear fell on her chubby cheeks and soon other tears followed the path. In a second, the room was filled with sobbing sounds and hiccups.

Taehyung's heart pained unknowingly, he diminished the gap between them by pulling his wife in his embrace. Jungkook closed her eyes and clutched the fabric of the shirt tightly while sniffing.

"Jungkook, why are you crying? See, everything is fine. We are safe in our home," Taehyung's arms encircled her and curled her completely in his bare chest. He could feel warm tears continuously falling.

The husband tried to calm his wife, one hand caressing her head while the other was softly stroking her back. He sighed in relief when the sobs perished and the only hiccup could be heard.

Jungkook hit his chest lightly and mumbled in a groggy voice, "Who asked you to become a hero and take all the attacks? We could run away or defend ourselves. Because of me, you have these bad wounds,"

Taehyung looked at his wife who was continuously smacking his chest without any mercy. Although those hits were nothing.

"I couldn't leave you alone in that situation. It felt like the right thing to do."

Jungkook looked up at the response, "but—"

Taehyung kept his finger on jungkook's luscious pink lips, "What I did doesn't matter. All I care is about your safety."
Jungkook was momentarily taken back, she could feel butterflies in her stomach and her rapid heartbeat.

Taehyung leaned back slightly, propping himself up with one arm as he watched her. "You know," he said, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, "you're cute when you're flustered."

Jungkook's blush deepened and she bit her lip, trying to concentrate on her task. " shut up! I'm just trying to help," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I respect it," Taehyung said. He reached up, gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through her and she almost dropped the antiseptic wipe.

"Th-Thanks," she stuttered, her fingers trembling as she moved to clean another wound on his neck. The warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips made her heart race even faster.

Jungkook with blush cheeks again picked up the cotton ball to hide her shy self. She continued to tend to Taehyung's wounds. Her hands halted as her touch encountered an unexpected revelation — an imprint etched on Taehyung's chest.

Jungkook's eyes widened in surprise as the design appeared beneath her touch. A sword with the crescent moon, a symbol of strength and mystery, lay hidden beneath the fabric. The discovery added surprise and Jungkook processed the newfound detail.

Jungkook, her fingers still lingering over the newly discovered mark shuddered for a moment. A mix of surprise, curiosity, and perhaps a hint of realization flickered in her eyes.

"This...mark?" She glanced up at Taehyung, their eyes locking in a silent exchange.

In that fleeting moment, a thousand unspoken words seemed to pass between them. Her eyes widened, and a shudder crossed her features, expressing both awe and a touch of realization.

"This..I..." Jungkook stammered, her voice caught in a mix of surprise and uncertainty.

Her eyes remained fixed on the revealed mark, her fingers again hovered over the intricate design on Taehyung's chest.

Jungkook pulled up her sleeve. And there on her right wrist, was an almost identical mark but with a slight difference. Her wrist was adorned with only a sword and some leafy designs.

Taehyung's gaze shifted from his tattoo to Jungkook's wrist, a confusion flickered in his eyes. Both the marks were similar yet different.

"What do these marks imply?"

Jungkook gently placed her hand on Taehyung's magical mark. As their skin met, a power sparked between them. Taehyung and Jungkook's eyes widened as their marks began to shine in Golden.

Jungkook, still in awe of the glowing magical marks, looked at Taehyung with surprise and wonder, "Mr Kim, did you know about this?"

Taehyung, his eyes reflecting the same amazement, shook his head, "No, I had no idea. What does it mean?"

"I don't know, but it feels... natural like it's a part of us," Jungkook traced the glowing mark on Taehyung's chest, and felt the connection between them.

"It's beautiful. Maybe it's a symbol of the magic that binds us. Both of these marks have one thing in common, this sword. Is this indicating something?"

"Only Rosie can tell us about this,"

🥀

⚠ Mention Of S*icide

Soomin sorted through the cluttered shelves of her cupboard, her fingers brushing against old dishes and forgotten knickknacks. As she organized, her mind drifted into a haze of resentment and frustration.

Soomin reached for another dusty dish, her phone buzzed insistently on the counter. She glanced at the screen and saw Yuna's family's name flashing. A frown creased her brow as she answered, wondering what could be so urgent.

"Hello?" she said, her voice laced with curiosity and annoyance.

"Soomin! You need to listen to us—Yuna... she's in a really bad place right now," a shaky voice trembled on the other end.

Soomin's heart sank as she realized the situation.

"What do you mean? What happened?"

"There's been an incident. She tried to take her own life over Taehyung. She's at the hospital now!" The voice broke, filled with anguish. "We're terrified and don't know how to help her."

Soomin felt a chill run down her spine.

"Oh my god," Soomin whispered, her heart racing. "What? Why would she do that?"

"She thought that Taehyung would be better off without her. She was convinced that he loved someone else—she's been struggling with this for a long time," the family member explained, voice cracking due to the news.

Soomin's mind raced, by Yuna's actions. "Is she okay? Where is she?"

"She's in the emergency room. We need support; can you come? We don't want her to feel alone right now," they pleaded.

"Of course, I'll be there," Soomin replied. She hung up, her heart heavy with concern and guilt.

She had been so wrapped up in her feelings of anger that she hadn't noticed how much Yuna was suffering. "I can't believe this is happening," she murmured.

Without a second thought, she grabbed her keys and dashed out the door, thoughts of Jungkook and her feelings pushed aside. Yuna needed her now and Soomin was determined to be there for her, to help her find the light in her darkest moments.

On the other hand,

Ash Jinn kept the phone smirking as she heard the panic in Soomin's voice. Foolish Human!

Yuna sat in the hospital bed, her fingers playing with the apple resting on her lap. Just then, a shadow flickered at the foot of her bed and she glanced up to see the Ash Jinn leaning casually against the wall, her cloak swirling around her like smoke.

"Ah, Yuna," she purred, a sinister smirk curling on his lips.

"Enjoying your little slice of life?" She gestured toward the apple, its bright red skin glistening under the harsh hospital lights.

Yuna narrowed her eyes and the bite of the apple lodged in her throat as her heart raced.

"What do you want?" she managed to spit out, her voice strained.

The Ash Jinn took a step closer, her eyes glinting with malice.

"I just wanted to check in on my favourite little puppet. I must say, you played your part beautifully. It was delightful to watch." He leaned closer, his breath a cold whisper against her ear. "And the best part? I helped you get the attention you desired."

Yuna shivered, the words wrapping around her like a vice. "You... you're the one who called Soomin, aren't you?" she realized, the accusation hanging heavily in the air.

"Of course," the Jinn chuckled, the sound chilling her to the bone.

"I thought you could use a little assistance in drawing out your rivals. Nothing like a touch of tragedy to stir up some drama. The humans are so delightfully predictable."

Yuna's anger flared, "You manipulated me! I was in a dark place, and you took advantage of that!"

The jinn waved her off dismissively, her smirk unwavering.

"Oh please, you were already on the edge. I merely nudged you along. Besides, isn't this all part of the game? You wanted Taehyung to notice you, didn't you? You wanted to show him how important you are to him. Well, mission accomplished!"

"But this isn't what I wanted!" Yuna cried out, frustration boiling within her. "I just wanted to be loved. I didn't ask for any of this!"

"Love is a fickle thing, my dear," the Ash Jinn replied, her voice dripping with mockery. "Perhaps you should rethink your strategy. Love doesn't come easily when you're constantly trying to play the victim."

Yuna felt tears prick her eyes, the weight of his words crushing her spirit. "What do you want from me?"

The Ash Jinn's smirk widened as she leaned closer to Yuna, "Here's the plan, my dear. When Soomin arrives, I want you to put on a show. Act like you've tried to take your life; make it as dramatic as possible. Let her feel the weight of her choices."

Yuna's heart raced, fear and hesitation swirling within her.

"You want me to pretend that I tried to s*icide?" she gasped, disbelief colouring her tone.

"Exactly!" The Ash Jinn clapped her hands together, her eyes glinting with excitement.

"Think of the impact it will have! Soomin will be crushed, torn apart by guilt. It'll be perfect! She'll realize too late that you were always the one who cared for Taehyung, the one who was there for him when she wasn't."

"But what if... what if she doesn't believe it?" Yuna's voice trembled, uncertainty creeping into her mind.

The Jinn waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, she will. People believe what they want to believe, especially when their emotions are involved. And trust me, the sight of you will break her. She'll see what she's lost."

Yuna took a deep breath, her mind racing. She didn't like the idea, but the prospect of finally being seen, of finally gaining Taehyung's attention, tugged at her heart.

"Alright," she finally said, steeling herself. "I'll do it."

"Excellent!" the Jinn exclaimed, clapping her hands together again. "Now, when Soomin arrives, just follow my lead. Make it convincing. Show her the depths of your despair. And I assure you, this will change everything."

The Ash Jinn vanished into the shadows and Yuna felt a chill over her. The path ahead was murky and dangerous but for the first time, she felt hope. She just had to act the part.

The game was on.

Soomin entered the hospital room, her heart pounding in her chest as she scanned the sterile environment. Her eyes fell upon Yuna, sitting on the edge of the bed, staring blankly into space, an apple still clutched in her hand. The sight sent a shiver down Soomin's spine.

"Yuna?" Soomin called gently, her voice barely above a whisper. She took a cautious step forward, concern etched on her face. "Are you okay?"

Yuna blinked slowly, the vacant look in her eyes breaking as she turned her gaze towards Soomin.

"Aunty..." she murmured, her voice soft and distant, as if she were still trapped in a dream.

Soomin's heart sank. "What happened? Why do you look like that?" She moved closer, her instinct for comfort kicking in, but she couldn't shake the foreboding surrounding them.

Yuna took a deep breath, trying to summon the right emotions.

"I... I was thinking about everything," she said, her tone laced with melancholy.

Soomin's heart raced as she searched Yuna's face for answers, her voice trembling with concern. "Yuna, please... why did you try to take your life? What were you thinking?"

Yuna's gaze fell to the floor, her fingers fiddling with the apple in her hand, as she tried to gather her thoughts.

"I felt like I had no choice," she admitted, "I had this overwhelming feeling... it was like a premonition. I sensed that Taehyung was in danger and it scared me."

Soomin frowned, confusion washing over her. "But how could you think that would solve anything? What about all of us—your friends? We care about you, Yuna!"

Yuna looked up, her eyes shimmering with fear and desperation. "I didn't want to be a burden, Soomin. I thought if I was gone, it would somehow protect him. It felt like the only way to show how much I cared."

"That's not how love works!" Soomin exclaimed, "You can't just give up on everything because of fear. We can face this together!"

Yuna shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks. "But what if it's too late? What if I can't save him? I felt so powerless. I could change something... somehow."

Soomin took a step closer, her heart aching. "Yuna, listen to me. You're not powerless. We can figure this out together. Some people can help but you have to be here for us to do that."

"Do you think so?" Yuna's voice trembled, doubt creeping into her expression.

"I know so," Soomin replied firmly, gripping Yuna's shoulders to steady her. "We're stronger together. You don't have to face this alone, and you don't have to resort to such drastic measures."

Yuna's breath hitched as she absorbed Soomin's words. "I just don't want to lose him," she said softly, her vulnerability bare.

Soomin pulled her into a gentle embrace, trying to convey all the warmth and reassurance she could. "And you won't. We'll find a way. We'll protect him together, I promise."

Soomin pulled back from the embrace, her resolve hardening as she wiped the tears from Yuna's cheeks. "We can't waste any more time. I know what we need to do."

Yuna looked at her with curiosity, her brow furrowing slightly. "What do you mean?"

Soomin took a deep breath, her mind racing with possibilities.

"Just trust me,"

Yuna hugged soomin and looked over the female's shoulders to find the ash Jinn with a smirk on her face. The Jinn's smirk widened, her sharp eyes glowing with an eerie light, the satisfaction of watching her plan unfold resting in her gaze.

"Foolish humans," the Ash Jinn mused. "So fragile, so easily manipulated. They think their hearts drive their choices but it's fear that guides them. Always fear."

The Jinn's dark form hovered, swirling with the remnants of smoke and ash, the edges of her being flickering like the remnants of a dying fire.

"Yuna believes she's saving Taehyung. How quaint. In truth, she's the one walking straight into the abyss, and I am the hand that will guide her deeper."

She watched with dark delight as Yuna clung to Soomin, her false vulnerability playing perfectly into the script the Jinn had written for her.

"Soomin is no better," the Ash Jinn's thoughts continued, cold and calculated. "She thinks she's rescuing Yuna, but she's only tightening the noose around Taehyung's fate. The more they cling to their misguided hope, the stronger I become. Soon, they will all be under my control."

Her eyes glinted with malice, her lips curling as Yuna's desperate pleas met Soomin's naive reassurances. The Ash Jinn thrived in this; fear, uncertainty, and despair were her playground.

"A few more moves and the pieces will fall into place. Taehyung will crumble, Yuna will beg for mercy and I shall reign over them all."

She glanced at Yuna again, her smile deepening as she whispered, "Keep playing the part, little one. Soon, you'll have no choice but to give me what I want."

Soomin held Yuna tighter, promising to protect her, the Ash Jinn faded further into the shadows, her mind buzzing with dark pleasure.

"The game is on. And I never lose."

After a while, Jungkook stood up, carefully packing the materials back into the box. Once everything was neatly in its place, she stepped back and took a moment to admire her work, feeling accomplished. She turned to leave but Taehyung's voice gently stopped her in her tracks.

"Mrs. Kim," he called softly, his tone unexpectedly tender.

Jungkook paused, her eyes widening with curiosity as she turned to face him. His gaze was warm, his expression sincere in a way that made her heart flutter.

"Thank you," he said again, his deep voice carrying an unspoken gratitude, his eyes locked onto hers, making her heart skip a beat.

"Really," He added. 

Jungkook blinked, feeling a wave of warmth rush to her cheeks. She gave a small nod, the blush deepening on her face as she responded shyly, "You're welcome, Mr. Kim."

The softness in her voice was unmistakable but there was also a new-found confidence, a small spark in her eyes as she smiled at him.

"Anytime," she added, her voice filled with affection, before turning away with a bashful smile, feeling lighter and more connected to him than ever.

On the other hand,

Away from everyone's eyes, a small bud bloomed on the magical tree of the Mystic Forest.

Symbolising the start of a very beautiful tale.

The tale of Mr and Mrs Kim Taehyung!

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Happy Reading